A policy update from Russia’s Interior Ministry outlines when authorities may disable or destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The guidance clarifies who has the power to authorize such actions and under what circumstances they may be carried out.
Key officials authorized to initiate UAV intervention include the Minister of Internal Affairs, his deputies, the heads of the ministry’s central apparatus, regional leaders, their deputies, and other designated officers.
The document presents UAV suppression or destruction as a protective measure aimed at safeguarding the lives, health, and property of the public and law enforcement personnel, especially during mass gatherings and public events.
Allowed methods for neutralizing UAVs include disrupting or altering remote control signals, interfering with user interfaces, and damaging or destroying the aircraft itself.
Before making a decision, the responsible official must evaluate the level of risk and consider information from the Unified Air Traffic Management System of the Russian Federation about UAV operations within the airspace.
Reports from December 9 indicated that most kamikaze drones used by the Ukrainian forces were concentrated in the Artemovsk area, signaling strategic intent.
Earlier remarks from the Ukrainian military leadership suggested Russia may have an advantage in FPV drone use, underscoring differences in drone capabilities between the two sides.